Poll

Arts and Entertainment

The school buses are groaning to life, pencils are sharpened and the halls are filled with students. School’s back in session. Students are gearing up for another year of camaraderie and creative thought. But why should the kids have all the fun? The Center for the Arts Evergreen is gearing up for its own “school year,” and is kicking off September with a tribute to teachers.

Friday, Sept. 3, marks the opening of the Center for the Arts Evergreen Teachers Show.

The Colorado Children’s Theatre has spent the last four years establishing itself as a go-to place for children’s theatrical training. Directors Kerri Monnerat and Karen Tobey have created classes in musical theater, voice, dance, stage and film acting and a full playbill of performances and theatrical productions. Most importantly, they have created a community in which children ages 4 to 18 feel special and as if they are an integral part of the school.

Artists from across the nation spend their summers tucked under arts-fair awnings — meeting and greeting, explaining their techniques and selling their work. For many artists, the Evergreen Fine Arts Festival, at Heritage Grove on Aug. 28 and 29, has become the perfect way to wrap up a hectic season of travel and selling.

A beautiful piece of art is a remarkable thing, with the ability to stir emotions in people simply through the act of viewing. To watch the creation of art is quite possibly even more amazing. Witnessing the techniques and creative process of individual artists is like looking through a window into the artist’s mind and heart. The Windows to the Divine Plein Air Invitational Paint-Out, set for Aug. 26-28 in Evergreen, will provide opportunities to observe the creation of art and to marvel at its beauty long after the work is complete.

One of the secrets to a successful career in art is inspiration. The longevity of a career is determined by an artist’s ability to find daily motivation — something new to arouse the artistic muse and drag him out of hiding. Many artists find this inspiration in new subject matter. Others find it in experimenting with new techniques or styles. For Colorado artist Paul Cunningham, it is a bold mix of both.

On the heels of its major renovation and expansion, StageDoor Theatre has renovated its model for summer productions — community theater for all ages. For the first time, adult and child actors alike will be working together to re-create the seamy underbelly of 19th-century London in a rousing rendition of “Oliver!” based on Charles Dickens famous novel “Oliver Twist.”

Summer is here, and Summerfest is upon us. This annual arts festival sponsored by the Center for the Arts Evergreen has become a fixture in many Coloradans’ summer schedules. 2010 should be no different. However, this year’s festival, on July 17 and 18, has many new and different features that set it apart.

The Evergreen Jazz Festival has become an institution, not only among the summer musical offerings in our mountain community, but in the national jazz community as well. People travel from all over the country to listen to the diverse lineup of traditional and contemporary jazz ensembles. With the event now in its ninth year, the 2010 Evergreen Jazz Festival should prove to be bigger and better than ever.

Last week, we took a look at the performing arts events scheduled for Evergreen’s inaugural Arts Alive! week. This week, we’ll focus on the visual arts events that make up this week-long celebration of arts and culture in our mountain community.

The week kicks off Friday, July 16, with Evergreen’s traditional Last Friday Gallery Walk taking place two weeks early. The local galleries will be open on Friday and Saturday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m. offering refreshments and a chance to peruse all of their latest artwork.

The arts are alive in Evergreen, and this year 10 consecutive days of events will prominently showcase the town’s performing and visual talents.

Arts Alive! Evergreen was the spearheaded by Steve Sumner, executive director of the Center for the Arts, and the Evergreen Arts and Cultural Alliance, a group of volunteers who wanted to showcase the arts and culture of our mountain community in a week-long celebration.